“Evangelism? That’s not my charism, not my personality.” “I need more education, first.” “I evangelize by example.” But the Second Vatican Council and all Popes since teach that all Catholics are called to evangelize in both deed and word. After…
Swept up by the Spirit: Journey of Transformation
“I have lived two vastly different lives—one spent exalting materialism and filled with spiritual darkness, the other spent exalting Jesus the Lord and filled with light and hope.” Because Gary Garner’s conversion was so “life and death,” he sees it that…
From Consumers to Coworkers in the New Evangelization
The Archdiocese of Detroit recently released a survey of the faithful that addressed many issues, including answers to the question: What characteristics are important in a quality pastor? Here’s what topped the list: Sounds like a pastor for the New Evangelization,…
The Ascension
Readings for June 1, 2014: The Ascension of the Lord The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat. It was clear what Good Friday did for me. And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable. But as for…
Mary, the First Believer
Readings for May 31, 2014: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages. But what is “beatitude,” anyway? In the bible, a “blessed” person is someone…
Spend An Hour With Me
At the local Church I attend, one of the most enjoyable things I like to do before Mass, after my greeting prayers, is to read the church bulletin. I enjoy this for a number of reasons. It keeps me up-to-date…
Lessons of the Sower, Part 2: The Rocks
In our last article we reflected on the nature of distraction and how Satan uses that to keep us from letting Christ into our lives. Today, we are going to focus on the seed that fell on the rocks. Jesus…
Fire Water
Of the vast palette of human emotion, there is one visceral reaction that is completely uncontrollable and often times unexplainable: tears. Not the tears borne of physical pain or direct personal attack, but those tears that come out of nowhere…
Reflecting on the Paraclete
Readings for May 25, 2014: Sixth Sunday of Easter He wore steel rimmed glasses and had hair to the middle of his back. The fringe on his buck-skinned jacket bounced as he walked. At least that was the way I…
Come to Mass Ugly, Please
For the last twenty years I’ve kept a working cat around the house, which means I know exactly what they’re talking about in the expression, “You look like something the cat dragged in.” That something is not necessarily dead. More…